Blastopathies and microcephaly in a Chornobyl impacted region of Ukraine

This population‐based descriptive epidemiology study demonstrates that rates of conjoined twins, teratomas, neural tube defects, microcephaly, and microphthalmia in the Rivne province of Ukraine are among the highest in Europe. The province is 200 km distant from the Chornobyl site and its northern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Congenital anomalies 2014-08, Vol.54 (3), p.125-149
Main Authors: Wertelecki, Wladimir, Yevtushok, Lyubov, Zymak-Zakutnia, Natalia, Wang, Bin, Sosyniuk, Zoriana, Lapchenko, Serhiy, Hobart, Holly H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced - epidemiology
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced - etiology
Birth defects
blastopathies
Chernobyl Nuclear Accident
Chornobyl
congenital malformations
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Invited Review
ionizing radiation
Male
Microcephaly - epidemiology
Microcephaly - etiology
Microphthalmos - epidemiology
Microphthalmos - etiology
Neural Tube Defects - epidemiology
Neural Tube Defects - etiology
Prevalence
sex ratio
Teratoma - epidemiology
Teratoma - etiology
Twins, Conjoined
Ukraine - epidemiology
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Summary:This population‐based descriptive epidemiology study demonstrates that rates of conjoined twins, teratomas, neural tube defects, microcephaly, and microphthalmia in the Rivne province of Ukraine are among the highest in Europe. The province is 200 km distant from the Chornobyl site and its northern half, a region known as Polissia, is significantly polluted by ionizing radiation. The rates of neural tube defects, microcephaly and microphthalmia in Polissia are statistically significantly higher than in the rest of the province. A survey of at‐birth head size showed that values were statistically smaller in males and females born in one Polissia county than among neonates born in the capital city. These observations provide clues for confirmatory and cause‐effect prospective investigations. The strength of this study stems from a reliance on international standards prevalent in Europe and a decade‐long population‐based surveillance of congenital malformations in two distinct large populations. The limitations of this study, as those of other descriptive epidemiology investigations, is that identified cause‐effect associations require further assessment by specific prospective investigations designed to address specific teratogenic factors.
ISSN:0914-3505
1741-4520
DOI:10.1111/cga.12051